In this modern era of science and technology where greater emphasis is placed on utilizing essential scientific equipment to bolster product sustainability, a young St. Lucian agro-technology enthusiast is in fervent pursuit of an innovative aquaponics project.
Darnell Boxill is very keen on developing this project to produce topsoil fertility that can enrich crop production on the island.
Aquaponics is a cross between aquaculture and hydroponics. As Darnell explains, “It is a union of two styles of farming techniques, which entails aquaculture – the rearing of fish and marine culture – and hydroponics, growing without soil.”
The merger of these two fields produce a symbiotic relationship in which the fish effluent fertilises the material in the grow-beds and the grow-beds, in turn, clean up the water, which can then be circulated over and over. “They both need and depend on each other to survive and to exist,” Darnell explains.
But how does this twenty-nine year old law student find adequate time to engage in such a venture? He puts it down to being passionate about the unification of science and agriculture. The combination of these two fields heightened his interest in this mode of farming and spurred him on to initiate an aquaponics project in his homeland.
“I have always had an interest in agriculture and science, and it was just a matter of time before the two paths collided and then I fell in between,” he declares.
Darnell had read widely about hydroponics and, in the process, became more familiar with the aquaponics concept of farming. While studying in the United Kingdom his interest was further aroused as he gained firsthand knowledge working alongside an independent English farmer who did part-time agriculture during the summer
“It is a new form of cutting-edge science and technology that is not widely practiced in other Caribbean countries, with the exception of the Cayman Islands,” says Darnell.
Though such a project can be quite costly because of its magnitude, Darnell is grateful that personnel at the St. Lucia Social Development Fund (SSDF) were quite receptive to his proposal and request for funding assistance. The SSDF responded readily and provided Darnell with the initial funds to help get the project underway.
“The input from the SSDF has been great,” he said. “The first time that I approached the SSDF officials they responded positively to this project.”
Darnell heartily admits that it was quite a feat bringing his ‘dream project’ into reality. He started working on it last summer and was eager to get this format of agro-technology off the ground.
He explains that material used for the project is quite expensive and it can be difficult to obtain some of the equipment. Containers used for storing fish and grow-plants can only be purchased from WASCO and the water company only allows individuals to buy one tank per family.
Nevertheless, Darnel pressed on and he successfully negotiated with the relevant department head at WASCO who allowed him to purchase four containers. As he took on the challenges, the next major concern was sourcing pumps. Whereas in the UK pumps cost a mere £12 each, in contrast, pumps in St Lucia cost a whopping $1,000 plus.
However, Darnell persists, realising the value of his project and its potential for future socio-economic benefits. “What makes the program so unique is the fact that I am using recycled material with no fertilizer … it is all organic,” he explains.
Initially, Darnell chose the Boys Training Centre (BTC), located at Massade, Gros Islet, as his launching pad.
A major goal of the BTC is to engage the boys under their care in worthwhile, practical exercises and to empower them to change their lives.
“I have always felt that the youth are receptive to new technology and it would be a wonderful opportunity for the boys at the BTC to learn that skill so it can become profitable to them,” says Darnell emphatically, adding, “Once you can grow your own food it makes life that much easier for you, despite whatever path you may choose to undertake.”
The level of sophistication and viability of each unit will be determined by the financial input invested into the project. In the long run Darnell hopes to use it for planting a variety of crops, including dasheen, yams, carrots, tomatoes, cucumbers, celery, and others.
He plans to undertake another project at the Bordelais Correctional Facility and he’s also looking to venture into some of the rural communities to develop and promote aquaponics as a means of food sustainability for St Lucia.
